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Transnational Histories of Race and Urban Space in Tanzania

Kurt Vonnegut

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Published in Diaspora And Nation In The Indian Ocean: Transnational Histories Of Race And Urban Space In Tanzania

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This book examines the transnational histories of race and urban space in Tanzania, focusing on the city of Dar es Salaam. It explores how global and local forces have shaped the city's racial and spatial dynamics, and how these dynamics have in turn shaped the lives of its residents.

Diaspora and Nation in the Indian Ocean: Transnational Histories of Race and Urban Space in Tanzania

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Language	:	English
File size	:	5823 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	341 pages

Dar es Salaam is a city with a long and complex history. It was founded in the 19th century as a trading post by Arab and Indian merchants. In the early 20th century, it became the capital of German East Africa. After World War I, it became a British colony. Tanzania gained independence in 1961, and Dar es Salaam became its capital.

Over the course of its history, Dar es Salaam has been home to a diverse population of people from all over the world. This diversity has shaped the city's racial and spatial dynamics. In the early 20th century, the city was divided into racial zones. Europeans lived in the city center, while Africans and Asians lived in separate neighborhoods. This segregation was reinforced by British colonial policies.

After independence, Tanzania adopted a policy of racial equality. However, racial segregation persisted in Dar es Salaam. This was due in part to the city's rapid growth. In the 1960s and 1970s, millions of people from rural areas moved to Dar es Salaam in search of work. This influx of migrants put a strain on the city's infrastructure and services. The government was unable to provide adequate housing for all of the new arrivals. As a result, many people were forced to live in informal settlements. These settlements were often overcrowded and unsanitary.

The racial and spatial divisions in Dar es Salaam have had a profound impact on the lives of its residents. Africans and Asians have faced discrimination in housing, employment, and education. They have also been more likely to live in poverty and to be victims of crime. The government has made some efforts to address these inequalities. However, much more needs to be done.

This book is a timely and important contribution to the study of race and urban space in Tanzania. It provides a comprehensive overview of the city's racial and spatial history. It also offers a nuanced analysis of the complex factors that have shaped the city's present-day dynamics. This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the history of Dar es Salaam and the challenges that it faces today.

Reviews

"This book is a major contribution to the study of race and urban space in Tanzania. It is a comprehensive and well-researched work that provides a nuanced analysis of the complex factors that have shaped the city's racial and spatial dynamics. This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the history of Dar es Salaam and the challenges that it faces today."

- Professor John Iliffe, University of Cambridge

"This book is a valuable addition to the growing body of literature on the history of race and urban space in Africa. It provides a rich and detailed account of the racial and spatial dynamics of Dar es Salaam, and it offers a nuanced analysis of the complex factors that have shaped the city's present-day dynamics. This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the history of Dar es Salaam and the challenges that it faces today."

- Professor Deborah Thomas, University of California, Berkeley